CHILDREN at Corsham Regis Primary have got a digital boost for the New Year, after a gift of computer equipment from Corsham Institute.

Pupils have been presented with 15 high spec laptops from the Institute, which is based at Hartham Park near Corsham. The Institute, created in 2013, aims to help create a fair and inclusive digital future for all. Research currently being carried out by the Institute is looking into employee skills in the workplace.

Institue hopes the gift of the laptops will help boost digital skills among young children and encourage a greater interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

Gareth Spicer, headteacher, said “We are so pleased with this generous donation. Digital skills are an increasingly important part of students’ lives and developing skillsets around that is essential.”

Corsham’s Institute’s director, Trevor Reid, said, “We hope that these laptops will inspire more young people to get to grips with computing and developing a better understanding of the roles and careers they might be interested in later in life.“Anecdotally we know many people are leaving education without the skills they need in the new digital workplace. This is a challenge for both job applicants and employers. The donation of these laptops is one small part in helping ensure that future school leavers are equipped with the skills they need.”